Lead Worker - Homelessness

Central Recruitment is working with a London-based charity dedicated to preventing homelessness and supporting individuals in rebuilding their lives.

Our client is currently recruiting for a Lead Worker to work in the Westminster area at a service that provides accommodation and support to former rough sleepers.

• 37.5 hours per week
• Monday - Friday
• Shifts: Between 08:00 - 18:00 (core hours 10:00 - 16:00)
• Temporary: approx. 3 months
• £17.14 per hour (£15.29 per hour, with £1.85 holiday pay)

Please note: this role may involve lone working.

Key responsibilities:

• Hold a caseload of 15 key clients
• Support the Team Manager with referrals into the RSAP (Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme) element of the service, helping to assess suitability and ensure people can access the right support at the right time
• Gather relevant information from referring agencies and other professionals to understand each person's history, strengths, risks and support needs
• Identify and respond to safeguarding concerns, escalating and recording appropriately and taking action to reduce risk
• Use a strengths-based, trauma-informed and person-centred approach
• Support people to understand and manage their accommodation responsibilities, including rent, bills, repairs, neighbour relationships and day-to-day household management
• Work with people to identify suitable move-on options in line with the RSAP process, supporting planned and positive transitions wherever possible
• Advocate with housing providers and other agencies to resolve issues that may put accommodation or move-on plans at risk
• Build and maintain effective relationships with housing, health, social care, criminal justice, substance use, mental health and community partners
• Identify local services, activities and community opportunities that support wellbeing, inclusion, independence, education, training and employment

What we’re looking for:

• Experience supporting people who have experienced homelessness, rough sleeping or housing instability, including people facing multiple disadvantage
• Understanding of how trauma, mental health, substance use, offending, exclusion and poverty can affect engagement, risk, tenancy sustainment and move-on
• Experience completing assessments, support plans, risk assessments and reviews that lead to clear, practical and person-centred action
• Good working knowledge of safeguarding responsibilities, professional boundaries, confidentiality and information-sharing
• Experience working with housing, health, social care, criminal justice, substance use, mental health or community agencies to coordinate support
• Understanding of housing-related support, tenancy sustainment and the barriers people may face when moving towards independent accommodation
• Ability to build trust with people who may be wary of services, have low levels of engagement or need a consistent and assertive approach
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to write clearly, record accurately and speak confidently with clients, colleagues and external professionals

Further requirements:

In order to register with Central Recruitment Services for temporary agency work, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Current valid right to work in the UK
• Minimum 12 months’ of paid experience in a front line social care role within the last 3 years* (unless recruitment criteria states otherwise)
• A fully enhanced DBS either registered on the DBS update service or issued within the last 12 months, or willingness to apply for one through Central (at a cost of £60)
• Employment or education history to cover the last 5 years which can be verified through the referencing process

How to apply:

If you feel that you fully meet the above outlined criteria for this role and would like apply for this post, please forward your CV for consideration.

*Please note the outlined experience is the 'minimum' first stage criteria, and we will therefore be unable to consider your application unless you are able to demonstrate a relevant work history in line with this position.